Hosiery form



P 16, 1953 E. R. OWENS, JR 2,852,171

HOSIERY FORM Filed Jan. 21, 1955 Fi g. 1 38 36 2d 40 76 22 [fl 3 46 W6 82 l 1 l +44 i g, y L76 J2; 2

Fig.5

55 E melt R 0 lNvENTgR m o m n ATTORNEY United States Patent HOSIERY FORM Emmett R. Owens, Jr., High Point, N. C.

Application January 21, 1955, Serial No. 483,328

8 Claims. (Cl. 223-1 The present invention relates to a hosiery form and more particularly to a hosiery form adaptable for use in hosiery packaging as well as in finishing operations.

There has been a long felt need in the hosiery industry for an attractive, presentable fiat package in which hosiery of the type commonly referred to as half hose or anklet socks may be displayed in a compact manner and still enable a potential purchaser to inspect and also to visualize the hose in a state that is representative of the appearance it will assume on the leg of the wearer.

With the introduction of crimped and twisted nylon yarn and its wide use in the knitting of the stretch nylon type hose, some convenient method was required to present these hose in a stretched condition in order to have them exhibit a more pleasing appearance, since in the relaxed condition the hose lacked consumer appeal. Furthermore, with the use of stretch nylon type hose a minimum of sizes is required thus reducing the inventory of the manufacturer and retailer and also permits a larger variety of ornamental combinations and affords the retailer and consumer a Wider selection for choice.

Further, in one form of popular Argyle half-hose in which ornamental areas in the form of diamond configurations and other designs and patterns are incorporated, the leg portion of the hose in selected areas is knit in plating relation from a main yarn and a contrasting auxiliary yarn. To produce the Argyle or other ornamental patterning effect a contrasting auxiliary yarn is usually floated coursewise behind the main yarn in selected areas and then these floats are removed by clipping in order to permit the socks to stretch coursewise in the area where the floats have been removed.

In the packaging and in the clipping operation an operator is required to orient or manipulate the socks to the desired position during the inspecting, clipping, and 'the packaging procedure procedure so that the socks maybe presented in the desired position to the operator to carry out the required function.

In the clipping or float-cutting operation an individual sock must be placed or presented initially in one suitable working plane to execute the clipping and inspecting operation on one side of the sock, and then the sock must be reoriented to complete the clipping and inspecting operation on the other 'side of the sock. Similarly, for final inspection and packaging the socks rnust also be examined from one side to another.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for facilitating the inspection of hose and the preparation of a compact hosiery package.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel device for receiving hosiery to place them on a sock-receiving insert or blank on which a hosiery package may be formed.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the inspecting, clipping, or packaging of hosiery by presenting a manipulable h'osereceiving form readily accessible to an operator.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to pro- 2,852,171 Patented Sept. 16, 1958 vide a hosiery packaging device on which a display package of hosiery may be made with a minimum of effort.

Still another object of the present invention is the .provision of a device on which a hosiery package having a single sock or a pair of socks may be formed.

Another object ofthe present invention is the provision of an apparatus, in which a solid hose form is readily rotatable for use in clipping and packaging operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a device from which a hose pack-age may-be readily ejected after the packaging is partially formed.

Still further objects are to provide a hosiery form in which the leg portion and foot portion are substantially collineated and mounted adjacent the end of the foot portion of the form to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof exposing the distal end or foot portion so that a sock may be placed over the form, oriented on the form and rotated to a suitable position.

Other and further objects and many attendant advantages of thi invention will become readily apparent as the invention becomes better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a hosiery form, with a section removed, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the hosiery form shown in Fig. 1;

Fig.3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial front elevational view of a modified form of the present invention, with a section of one form removed adjacent to the leg portion of the form;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing the essential components of an ejecting mechanism employed in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,'broadly, a hosiery-receiving'form 10 comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart and parallel flat integral forms 12 and 14 for supporting a flat sock blank therebetween, a base bracket 16 on which the hosieryform It] may be supported at a suitable position, and a clamping swivel 18 for rotatably supporting the spaced apart forms from the bracket 16.

Since each of the forms 12 and 14 are similar in structure it will sufiice to describe only one such form in detail. Each form consists of a foot portion 20 in which there is a toe pocket 22 .and a heel pocket 24 and a leg portion 26 having at one end a reduced section 28 to accommodate the conventional elasticgarter top knit in half-hose or stockings in a relaxed condition. The leg portion 26 and foot portion 20 are substantially collineated so that one edge 30 of a form representing the anterior part 32 of the lower leg and the dorsum 34 will lie in substantially a straight line and the other edge 36 representing the posterior part 38 of the lower leg and the plantar 40 will lie in substantially a straight line with a projecting heel portion 24 intermediate therebetween. Thus the longitudinal axes of the leg and foot portions are collineated and may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the form when suitably mounted to the supporting bracket 16. An elongated opening 44 extends longitudinally through the form for a purpose to be described hereinafter. It has been found desirable to bevel the outside of the perimetrical edge 42 of the form in order to minimize any possibiblity of yarn snagging as a knitted stocking is drawn over the form.

Although the forms have been made of aluminum it is contemplated that ferrous as well as other non-ferrous metals, Wood and plastic materials may be employed for making the forms with satisfactory results.

The pair of spaced apart substantially flat forms 12, 14 are maintained in parallelization by a plurality of spacer dowel pegs 46 positioned adjacent to one perimetrical edge of the form so as to form a stop within the blank-receiving cavity 48. In the illustrated forms only a single row of pegs is shown since this mode of construction will facilitate insertion of a hosiery blank 50 between the forms transversely to the longitudinal axis. However, a row of pegs may be placed at both edges and the blank 50 may be inserted longitudinally.

The clamping swivel 18 is bifurcated at one end to receive between furcations 52 and 54 the ends 56, 58 of the leg portions of the forms and a spacer block 60. The components are retained in position on the, swivel 18 by any suitable fastening means, such as the bolts 62. The other end of the swivel is provided with a stub shaft 64 for mounting to the bracket bearing 66 that is supported on the bracket 16. Any conventional locking means may be employed to releasably engage the free end of the shaft 64 to prevent separation from the bearing 66. Where required the hosiery forms may be interchanged with other size forms depending upon the size of the stockings being packaged.

Although the bearing 66 is shown to be rigidly supported on the vertical stanchion 68 of the bracket 16, a pivotable hearing or a rotatable bearing mount may be supported thereon. Where desirable, the lower pairing of the bearing and shaft may be modified to obtain a higher pairing means combination by using roller bearings or other similar elements. It is also contemplated that any conventional angular stop movement such as a ratchet and pawl arrangement may be combined with the shaft and bearing to locate the forms in a desired Working plane for an operator. The stanchion 68 is secured to the flanged base 70 which may in turn be fastened to a work bench or floor 72 as by the fastening means 74.

In the operation of the above described embodiment an operator will insert a substantially flat hosiery-receiving blank 5!) between the forms so that it will rest on the pegs 46, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. A knitted halfhose stocking '76, commonly referred to as a sock, is then drawn with the open end first over the forms until the elastic top portion 78 is placed over its corresponding part on the forms. The sock is then. properly oriented on the forms according to the lay of the design. The operator may next apply a slight normal pressure through the openings 44 in each form against the sock and the blank and slide the sock and blank longitudinally a short distance so that the operator may then grip the toe portions to pull or slide the insert longitudinally thus removing the insert with a sock thereon. When the apparatus is to function as a clipping support, the opening 44 may be covered with an adhesive tape on a block in order to provide a back support for the area of the sock being cut or clipped.

Referring now to a modification of the present inventive concept shown in Fig. 4, there is illustrated a hosiery form device having forms 80, 82 substantially similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the openings 44 in the forms have been omitted so that the apparatus may be employed for clipping operations without modifying the form and for hosiery packaging. For hosiery packaging a hosiery blank 50 is inserted between the forms 80, 82 within the cavity formed therebetween and a sock is placed over the forms as described above. For removal of the blank and the sock thereon a trip lever mechanism 84 is employed. The mechanism 84 consists of a lever 86 pivotally connected to and between the forms by the bolt 88 and nut 90 and a spring member 92 which will urge the lever 86 to the cocked rearward position against the spacer block 60, shown in Fig. 4, preparatory for blank ejection. When the sock is positioned on the forms the operator need only actuate the lever 86 to partially eject the blank and sock andthen grip the toe portions to complete the longitudinal withdrawal of the package from the forms as described above.

For clipping operations a stocking is placed wrong side outward on the form in order to expose the floated areas to the opertaor who may clip or cut the floats on one side of thesock with a suitable instrument. Upon completion of one side of the sock the operator need only rotate the form about the longitudinal axis and proceed to complete the operation on the other side of the sock. In some instances, a hosiery-receiving blank may be placed between forms to rest on the pegs 46 and as the clipped sock is removed from the form it will be reversed so that the right side will .be exposed and then placed over the form again, adjusted to orient the design properly and the blank and sock will be removed simultaneously from the form. Of course, a pair of socks may be packaged in a similar manner by repeating the above-described operation.

In using the apparatus for packaging, the blank 50 will be inserted between forms and supported by the pegs 46 so that the opening of the stocking may be inserted initially over the toe portion of the form and then extended over the entire form. The form may be rotated to adjust the positioning and the design orientation of the stocking on the form. The inserted blank -50 may then be urged forwardly, that is,-toward the toe portion either by the operator pressing the sides of the sock against the blank retained therebetween when using the form with the openings 44, or by actuating the blank-ejecting lever mechanism 84 in the form illustrated in Fig. 4. Individual socks maybe packaged in this manner or, as stated above, the operation may be repeated to place a pair of socks or multiples of socks on a single hosiery blank.

It has been found desirable to use a flat blank made from cardboard for the hosiery-receiving blank so that a semi-rigid backing will be provided, particularly when used in hosiery packages made with hosiery using stretch nylon yarn. In this manner, the hosiery may be displayed in a partially stretched condition. However, where an elastic top garter band is knit into the completed stocking it is desirable that the flat blank be tapered so that the elastic top will remain substantially in a relaxed condition to preserve the elasticity of the top despite prolonged storage. Suitable crease lines may be enscribed in the blank to facilitate folding the completed package upon itself thus conserving space during shipping, displaying, and storage packaging. In most instances it will be advantageous to make the blank slightly smaller but similar in contour to the forms. This will appreciably reduce the possibility of snagging the knitted yarn as the stocking is drawn onto the form.

Obviously many modifications and variations may be made in the construction and arrangement of the hosiery form and supporting bracket in the light of the above teachings without departing from the real purpose and spirit of this invention. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims many modified forms of the present inventive concept as Well as the use of alternatives and mechanical equivalents may be reasonably included and modifications are therefore contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a form-supporting base bracket member, a pair of spaced apart and parallel sock-receiving forms, each of said forms having collineated leg and foot portions, means extending from the leg ends of the leg portions to support the forms from the bracket member for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the forms, and a member extending between the forms adjacent to one edge thereof for supporting a sock-blank therebetween.

2. A device of the character described comprising a I form supporting base bracket member, a sock-receiving form having a leg and a foot portion collineated, said form being mounted on the bracket member adjacent to the end of the leg portion for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the form, additionally said form having an elongated opening substanially along the longitudinal axis of the form, and means projecting from one edge of the form for supporting a flat sock-receiving blank adjacent to one side of the form.

3. A device of the character described for use in the finishing or packaging of hosiery comprising a base member having a bearing element mounted thereon, a pair of spaced apart and parallel sock-receiving forms, each of said forms having a leg and a foot portion, the longitudinal axis of the leg and foot portion lying in substantially a straight line, and additionally each of said forms having an elongated opening therein, at least one element extending between forms and along one edge I thereof for supporting a sock-receiving blank insert thereon, a mating bearing element extending from the end of the leg portion of a form to be received in the base bearing element whereby the forms may be rotated substantially about their longitudinal axis while maintained in a spaced apart relation.

4. A device of the character described for use in the finishing or packaging of hosiery comprising a formsupporting base bracket member, a plane sock-receiving form having a foot and a leg portion, the longitudinal axes of the leg and foot portions lying substantially in the same straight line, swivel means for mounting said form at the end of the leg portion to the bracket member, and means associated with an edge of the form for supporting a flat sock-receiving blank insert adjacent to one side of the form.

5. A device of the character described for use in the finishing or packaging of hosiery comprising a form-supporting base bracket member, a pair of sock-receiving forms spaced laterally apart and parallel to each other, each of said forms having a leg and a foot portion in which the longitudinal axes are substantially collineated, and additionally each of said forms having an elongated opening therein, means along one edge of the forms for supporting a flat sock-receiving insert between the forms,

and means adjacent to the free end of the leg portion for rotatably supporting the forms to the bracket member.

6. For use in packaging or finishing hosiery a pair of laterally spaced apart parallel sock-receiving forms, each having a foot and a leg portion, the longitudinal axes of the leg and foot portions lying in substantially a straight 1 line, and an element extending between forms along one edge of each to retain a sock-receiving blank between forms.

7. For use in packaging or finishing hosiery a pair of laterally spaced apart parallel sock-receiving forms, each of said forms having a foot and a leg portion, the longitudinal axes of the leg and foot portions lying in substantially a straight line, additionally each of said forms having a longitudinally extending opening therein, and an element extending transversely between forms and along one edge of the forms for supporting a sockreceiving blank between forms.

8. A device of the character described for forming a stocking package on a flat stocking receiving blank comprising a base bracket member, a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel stocking receiving forms, each of said forms having collineated leg and foot portions, said forms being supported on the bracket member in cantilever fashion from the end of the leg portions of the forms, and a blank supporting member reaching transversely between the forms at one edge thereof to retain a blank in position between the forms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 425,796 Howard Apr. 15, 1890 751,653 Katz Feb. 9, 1904 1,931,301 Struve Oct. 17, 1933 1,943,741 Pecker Ian. 16, 1934 1,973,379 Guggenheim Sept. 11, 1934 2,007,621 Struve July 9, 1935 2,567,478 Hartline Sept. 11, 1951 2,696,295 'Berry Dec. 7, 1954 

